Best DIY Face Serum for Glowing Skin: Created by an Aromatherapist

Making your own DIY face serum is an experience of luxury without the price tag of store-bought face serums.

Instead of the one-size-fits-all of most store-bought facial serum, with a DIY face serum, you get to customize your face serum for the unique needs of your skin.

As a Certified Aromatherapist, I’ve been making my own face serum for years. I’ve also taught hundreds how to make their own.

As your skin needs change through the various stages of your life, you’ll be able to change the main ingredients to still meet what your skin needs.

In this article, you’ll learn how to make a DIY face serum for glowing, beautiful skin, while also learning how to choose from a list of ingredients based on what you need most.

This article may contain affiliate links, please see my full disclaimer here.

Benefits of a DIY Face Serum

Making your DIY face serum is a journey into creating homemade skincare that’s not only rewarding but also tailored to your skin type.

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or sensitive skin, a homemade serum can meet your unique needs.

By choosing to make your own skincare products, you embrace the power to mix natural oils and essential oils that benefit your skin in the purest form.

One of the main reasons to go DIY is to avoid the harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances found in many store-bought products.

These can cause skin irritation or worsen existing skin conditions.

When you create your serum at home, you decide what goes into it, making sure that only natural ingredients that are gentle and beneficial to your skin are included.

Another major reason is cost-effectiveness.

Commercial products, especially those labeled as natural or anti-aging, can be expensive.

By sourcing your organic ingredients and making your serums, you can save a significant amount of money. This approach also allows for experimentation without the worry of spending too much on products that might not work for you.

Supplies for DIY Face Serum

To start making your face serum, you’ll need a few supplies.

Dark glass bottles (I get mine here) help preserve the active ingredients in your serum by protecting them from light.

Droppers ensure you can measure and use your serum easily, without waste.

Funnels and measuring spoons are essential for mixing and transferring your serum into bottles accurately.

The key to the best DIY serum is to use the best carrier oils and the best essential oils. Your face deserves the absolutely best ingredients.

Carrier oils like jojoba oil, argan oil, and rosehip oil are great choices for most skin types. They offer a range of benefits, including hydration and the promotion of collagen production, which can help with the appearance of wrinkles.

Essential oils such as Lavender Essential Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Roman Chamomile provide additional benefits, from anti-inflammatory properties to helping reduce acne breakouts.

It’s so important to use high-quality, organic ingredients to make sure your homemade facial serum is as effective and safe as possible.

Organic rosehip seed oil, for example, is known for its ability to improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Also, don’t forget to label your creations. This step is especially important if you make different serums for different skin types or conditions.

Labels help you remember what’s in each bottle, and pens are needed to write down the ingredients or the name of the serum.

By gathering these supplies, you take the first step towards creating personal care products that are tailored to your needs, allowing for a more personal and holistic approach to beauty.

DIY Face Serum Recipe for Glowing Skin

With this recipe, you’ll be creating a DIY face serum to add to your skin care routine for glowing skin with some of my favorite essential oils. I’ll be sharing the recipe that as a Certified Aromatherapist, I’ve made for myself and for friends and family.

The secret lies in selecting the right carrier oils and essential oils to nourish and revitalize your skin. Here you want to focus on the best oils for both base and essential oils.

Carrier oils like jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and argan oil are foundational.

Jojoba oil is incredibly similar to the skin’s own oils, making it ideal for all types, including oily skin.

Rosehip oil is celebrated for its ability to enhance skin tone and assist in collagen production, a key for rejuvenating skin cells.

Argan oil, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E oil, offers moisturization and fights against free radicals.

Then, of course, you’ll also incorporate essential oils into your serum.

Lavender essential oil is known for its soothing properties and ability to reduce skin irritation. Frankincense aids in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots, while Geranium supports skin cell renewal for a radiant complexion.

Step-by-Step Guide to Blending Oils for a Serum

Start with a 1 oz glass dropper bottle as your container. Side note: you’ll want to store your serum in a dark place to preserve your serum’s effectiveness.
For the base, mix 2-3 tablespoons of carrier oil that matches your skin type. For combination skin, Sunflower oil is a great choice due to its balancing properties.
Add 10 drops of essential oil. Choose oils based on your skin concern: for acne-prone skin, Tea Tree essential oil might be beneficial, while Lavender oil is perfect for sensitive skin. I’ll give you a full list of oils to choose from further down the article.
Close the bottle and shake well to blend the oils. Use it after 48 hours to allow the oils to mix in harmony with each other.

Safety Considerations: Dilution Rates and Patch Testing

It’s important to respect dilution rates for essential oils to prevent skin irritation. A safe rule is to keep essential oil concentration around 1-2% of the total serum volume. Always perform a patch test before applying the serum to your face to ensure no adverse reactions occur.

Essential Oils for DIY Face Serum

Here are some of my favorite essential oils to use for a Glowing Skin DIY Face Serum.

You do not need to use these all and in fact, I don’t recommend that you do. Instead, choose 1-3 from this list based on your skin’s needs.

Lavender Oil:

Benefit: Calms and soothes the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of spots and marks.
Skin Type: Good for all, especially sensitive and skin prone to blemishes.

Tea Tree Oil:

Benefit: Cleanses the skin deeply, leaving it feeling fresh and looking clear.
Skin Type: Best for oily skin that often has blemishes.

Frankincense Oil:

Benefit: Gives a radiant appearance by helping to smooth the look of skin and giving it a glowing effect.
Skin Type: Ideal for skin that’s starting to show signs of age and dry skin.

Geranium Oil:

Benefit: Balances the skin’s appearance, making it look more even and radiant.
Skin Type: Works well for all types, particularly for balancing both dry and oily areas.

Rosehip Oil (often used as a carrier oil, but with essential oil-like benefits):

Benefit: Enhances the skin’s natural glow and promotes a vibrant, even skin tone.
Skin Type: Great for uneven skin tone and skin that lacks radiance.

Carrot Seed Oil:

Benefit: Revitalizes and rejuvenates the skin, giving it a refreshed and youthful appearance.
Skin Type: Perfect for tired, dull skin needing a revitalizing boost.

Roman Chamomile Oil:

Benefit: Calms and soothes, making the skin look more settled and smooth.
Skin Type: Especially good for sensitive and irritated skin, helping it appear calmer.

Geranium Oil:

Benefit: Promotes a balanced and radiant complexion, helping to smooth and refresh the skin’s appearance.
Skin Type: Ideal for combination skin, as it harmonizes the skin’s natural oils.

Sandalwood Oil:

Benefit: Known for its ability to promote a smoother, more harmonized skin appearance, making it feel soft and look more youthful.
Skin Type: Suitable for all skin types, especially beneficial for dry or mature skin seeking a rejuvenating glow.

Jasmine Oil:

Benefit: Helps to make the skin look more radiant and healthy, offering a refreshed appearance.
Skin Type: Good for dry skin, providing a hydrating effect and promoting a glowing complexion.

Choosing these ingredients for your homemade facial serum allows you to tailor your skincare to your specific needs.

You can even customize even more, for instance, mixing vitamin E oil with Carrot Seed oil and aloe vera gel can create a powerful anti-aging serum.

Similarly, blending hyaluronic acid with vitamin C serum and rosehip oil can address dark spots and uneven skin tone, providing a brightening effect.

Creating your own skincare products like a homemade face serum recipe not only means that you’re using organic ingredients without extra cost but also allows you to address your personal care products with precision.

The right combination of natural ingredients will give you the best results for your facial oils.

Carrier Oils (Base Oils) for DIY Face Serum

Your base oil should also be chosen based on your skin’s needs. Here’s a list of carrier oils that I recommend you choose from.

Sweet almond oil: Great for most skin types, especially sensitive skin, due to its soothing properties.
Avocado oil: A great choice for dry skin, packed with vitamins and hydrating qualities.
Grapeseed oil: Perfect for oily skin due to its light texture and ability to control excess oil.
Coconut oil: While it’s a heavier oil, it’s wonderful for mature skin due to its intense moisturizing properties and ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines. However, it’s best used sparingly for those with oily skin.
Jojoba oil: Known for its ability to mimic the skin’s natural oils, it’s perfect for all skin types, including oily skin and sensitive skin. It’s highly effective in balancing oil production, making it a versatile addition to face serum recipes.
Primrose oil: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s beneficial for mature skin, helping to improve elasticity and moisture levels. It’s also considered one of the best carrier oils for serums targeting aging signs.
Sunflower oil: This oil is packed with Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, making it an excellent choice for protecting the skin against environmental damage. Its lightweight texture makes it suitable for most skin types, including acne-prone skin. Sunflower oil can help improve skin hydration without clogging pores, making it a beneficial ingredient in homemade facial serum recipes.

How Often Should I Use My DIY Face Serum?

For best results, incorporate the serum into your skincare routine twice daily, in the morning and before bed.

The right frequency can depend on your skin type and how it reacts to the serum.

Dry skin types may benefit from more frequent use, while those with oily skin might prefer once-a-day application. Listen to your skin, and adjust as needed.

Creating your natural face serum allows for a personalized approach to beauty that can address your specific skin needs effectively.

With regular use and the right blend of natural ingredients, you can enjoy beautiful skin that truly glows.

What Is the Best Homemade Serum for the Face?

Discovering the best homemade serum for the face means finding a recipe that serves a broad range of skin types, from normal skin to those with specific skin concerns like dryness, oiliness, or sensitivity.

A universally beneficial serum combines hyaluronic acid, known for its hydrating properties, with vitamin C serum to brighten and even out skin tone.

These active ingredients work together to hydrate, brighten, and nourish the skin, making it a suitable base for customization.

Adjustments for Specific Skin Concerns

For dry skin, adding avocado oil can provide extra hydration due to its rich essential fatty acids content.
Oily skin benefits from grapeseed oil, a lightweight base oil that helps manage excess oil production.
Sensitive skin types will find relief with sweet almond oil, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and a few drops of essential oil from Roman Chamomile for its calming effects.

How Do You Make Anti-Aging Serum at Home?

Creating an anti-aging serum at home allows you to harness the power of natural ingredients to nourish your skin and combat signs of aging. Ingredients like vitamin E, pomegranate seed oil, and carrot seed essential oil are prized for their ability to rejuvenate the skin, boost collagen production, and protect against environmental damage.

Key Ingredients for Anti-Aging Properties:

Vitamin E: A powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radicals and the aging process.
Pomegranate seed oil: Known for its regenerating and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to improve skin elasticity.
Carrot seed essential oil: Promotes healthy skin regeneration and is known for its ability to tone and rejuvenate the skin.

Recipe for an Anti-Aging Serum with Step-by-Step Instructions:

Gather your supplies: You’ll need a 1 oz glass dropper bottle to store your serum, ensuring it stays fresh in a dark place.
Mix the carrier oil: Start with jojoba oil or argan oil as your base. Fill your dropper bottle halfway. These oils are excellent for all skin types and provide a nourishing, lightweight base.
Add the active ingredients: Incorporate 5 drops of carrot seed essential oil and 10 drops of pomegranate seed oil. These oils work together to enhance skin glow and address aging signs.
Include vitamin E: Add a few drops of vitamin E oil to the mixture. This ingredient is key to fighting off free radicals and improving the skin’s appearance.
Shake well: Make sure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed by shaking the bottle gently.

Tips on Incorporating Anti-Aging Serums into Your Skincare Routine:

Use your homemade serum twice daily, in the morning and at night, after cleansing and before moisturizing.
A small amount goes a long way; just a few drops are enough to cover the entire face and neck.
Be patient and consistent. Improvements in skin conditions such as dark spots, appearance of fine lines, and skin elasticity may take time to become noticeable.
Always do a patch test before full application to ensure you don’t experience any skin irritation.

Incorporating this DIY serum into your daily skincare routine can help you achieve beautiful skin that looks brighter, firmer, and more youthful over time.

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